Supporting the victims of the Fukushima Nuclear Disaster.
Some years ago my Bishop here in Japan sent me a letter appointing me as chaplain to Fukuoka area Women’s Association. Since then I have been made responsible for a similar group in Chikugo area. Both groups are mother lodes of clever, talented and committed Christians. I soon realised that they had little need for a chaplain, but it has been an education for me as I find myself yet again being evangelised by those with whom I work.
Every first Tuesday they meet to organise talks, retreats, seminars and various activities of the different parish women’s groups of the area. These activities include soup kitchens for the homeless, weekly visits to hospitals and old folk’s homes, cleaning up and interacting with the patients.
Since the last big North-Eastern earthquake, they have been very active in visiting and sending all sorts of necessary materials to those in need there. Last summer, however, they launched out into the deep with a project that saw them welcome a group of nine Fukushima families (15 children and 12 adults) from July 25-28. The project was called Welcome to Hakata. The idea was to give some relief to families who have to live in an area still affected by radiation from the stricken Fukushima Nuclear Power Plant where one can be outdoors for only about 15 minutes each day.
Those who participated spoke of their reasons for coming to Fukuoka ... "With my child this summer I wanted to spend time completely free from the worry of radiation." ..."I took part in a similar programme before and wanted to feel refreshed in a place where the air is clean." ... "I wanted my daughters to never forget the experience of being able to live in the midst of nature. That was something we used to take for granted. This is a trip to encounter nature again." ... "Because of my work, it is not possible to relocate to a safer area and I am worried about my children’s physical development and stress levels as they play outdoors for only a very limited time." ... "I wanted to get as far away as possible from the radiation but, for economic reasons, and wishing not to be too far away from my husband, Tokyo is as far as I got. But even in Tokyo there is anxiety about drinking water and touching the soil. I’m looking forward to a few days free of all such worries, relaxing with my child."
For the best part of a year people had been making handcrafted items for mini-bazaars, selling wine all over the place and holding concerts to raise the necessary funds. The four-day programme consisted of trips to parks, swimming pools, a ‘Marine World’ and hot springs. They were put up at the Visitation Sisters convent.
Over 30 very generous volunteers were on hand to cook and look after them all the time and what a welcome that lively and joyful group gave the tense and weary travellers when they landed at the convent door. In the evening the adults were brought out shopping and introduced to a few local restaurants and hotels. This they very much appreciated.
I was at the airport to see them off and what a contrast! No more tiredness or tension! It was grand to see such joy in everyone. Some of the comments made ..."My whole family has been healed by the warmth of your welcome." ... "When my daughter said, ‘Are we going home already?’ I knew she had really enjoyed herself."
After it all, everyone was exhausted but it was a satisfied tiredness. It really had been a huge undertaking. They hope to do it again, but next time in co-operation with one or two other diocesan groups. Where there’s a will there’s a way and when people pull together great things can be done.
Columban Fr Harry O'Carroll has been a missionary in Japan since 1970.
Read more from The Far East, October 2014